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Men's Health Office

Men's health is a growing field. Dr. Sheldon Marks shares advice and information on men's health issues, from prostate problems to hair loss, as well as fitness and nutrition.

Monday, April 03, 2006

Vasectomy Reversals
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Another great message board question:

I know this is selfish, but I can't help myself. My husband and I have 2 children together, and I have another from a previous relationship. Our youngest is 18 months old. My husband had a vasectomy last April, much to my dismay. I would LOVE to have another baby, but he refuses to have the vasectomy reversed. Not that I blame him much, because of the pain. But I can't help wondering if it truly is possible to still get pregnant. Is there any way of bettering my odds without the reversal?

As a specialist that does reversals each and every day, I encourage you to do more research. I see your scenario all the time.

A correctly performed reversal does NOT have any pain post-operatively. Sure, the guys are aware that something happened down there, but it is not pain. When I go by the hotels and check on my patients, they are all surprised how pain free they are. If pain is the primary reason to not consider a reversal, then that is wrong.

I will tell you to be very very careful in selecting a reversal doctor. The chances for success are dramatically higher if you take the time to seek out a skilled and experienced true microsurgeon. And travel if you must. I just did a reversal on man from Moscow, Russia this week.

In fact, most of my patients travel from all over the US and the world, so travel is common place. A reversal has been proven time and again to be the most cost effective, most natural and most healthy way of restoring fertility.

Another way is to have sperm retrieved from his system, and then inject it into the egg (ICSI) and then do in-vitro fertilization (IVF) though this is far more expensive and has a list of potential problems as well.And at only one year out, his chances for a successful microsurgical reversal are higher than 95%.

Related Topics: Donor Options as Fertility Solutions, Assisted Reproduction

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Posted by: Dr. Marks at 4:44 PM

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dr. Marks has more vasectomy reversal information on his website and on his vasectomy reversal message board.

Apr 11, 2006 1:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had a vasectomy 30 years back. I now have a very seriour pain and burning when I ejaculate. I get a few seconds pleasure before the pain overcomes me. I was told it is because of the back pressure caused from the vasectomey and urine forced into the prostrate gland. Woul a reversal of the vascetomy change anything at my age, 57?

Apr 15, 2006 1:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had one about 3 years ago and suffer the same pain. Immediately and sometimes even slightly prior the pain takes me out for a few days. I can find a small lump behind were the closed the tube off. Have learned if a reversal solves this or changing to an open?

Feb 25, 2007 10:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My new husband had a vasectomy over 10 years ago we were told it can come undone is this true? I had my tubes tied but they came undone 6 years ago.

May 11, 2007 5:43:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Although there is some discomfort after the reversal, I recommend it to those familes that would want another child. I had a vasectomy in '93 and a reversal in '00. About a year later, we had a beautiful daughter. Like the Dr says, you may have to travel. I did, But IT WAS WORTH IT.

Mar 29, 2008 8:36:00 AM  

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